**Chapter 33: The Unseen Bonds**
Aster's mother, Lady Ophelia, watched from the sidelines, her eyes narrowing as she observed the interactions between Hendrix, Lu, and Elena. A plan began to form in her mind. She saw the potential in Elena, especially after witnessing her remarkable performance in the alchemy tournament. If she could attach Elena to her son, Aster, it would solidify their family's standing and ensure a powerful ally in the future. With this thought in mind, she strode over to where the children were chatting.
"Hendrix, Lu," she called out, her voice dripping with false warmth. "Old Lark is looking for you. He asked you to come back right away."
The boys, not sensing anything amiss, quickly said their goodbyes to Elena and ran off to find Old Lark. Lady Ophelia then turned her attention to Elena, who was now standing alone. She smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes.
"Come with me, child," Lady Ophelia said, extending her hand. Elena hesitated, a sense of unease washing over her. But she knew she had little choice, so she followed Lady Ophelia through the crowd.
As they walked, Lady Ophelia attempted to make small talk, asking Elena about her origins. When Elena remained silent, Lady Ophelia's smile faltered, and a flicker of anger crossed her face. However, she quickly masked it with a facade of kindness as they approached the area where the city leaders and the representatives of the various powers had gathered.
Lady Ophelia intended to introduce Elena to the head of the local alchemy hall, but first, she called Aster over, hoping to create a connection between him and Elena. However, Elena, sensing the manipulation, refused to even glance in Aster's direction. She could see through Lady Ophelia's intentions and was not pleased. Her mother had always taught her to stand up for herself, and she wasn't about to let someone else dictate her actions.
Ignoring Lady Ophelia's attempts, Elena turned away and walked purposefully toward the elder of the alchemy hall, a 5-star alchemist who led the group. His presence was commanding, and his aura exuded wisdom and authority. The crowd parted as Elena approached him, her small frame dwarfed by the towering figure of the elder.
Seeing that Elena was slipping from her grasp, Lady Ophelia reached out and grabbed Elena's hand forcefully, trying to stop her. "Come back here, child," she hissed, her tone no longer sweet.
But as soon as she did, something extraordinary happened. Elena turned back, her eyes filled with defiance, and screamed, "Let go!" The words seemed to carry more than just sound—they resonated with the very fabric of the world around them. It was as if the clouds above parted for a brief moment, and a pressure descended directly from the Dao, the mystical force that governed all things, onto Lady Ophelia.
Lady Ophelia's face drained of color, her body shuddering uncontrollably. The overwhelming pressure caused her to lose control, and in her fear, she soiled herself, a humiliating outcome in front of the entire crowd. The people around them struggled to stifle their laughter, not out of respect for Lady Ophelia but out of fear of the Baron. However, the Baron, who had been observing the scene, was not angry with Elena. Instead, his anger was directed at his wife.
Baron Cole had long been dissatisfied with his wife, Lady Ophelia. Their marriage had been arranged by the Corleone family, a powerful clan that Baron Cole had served with unwavering loyalty. Many years ago, Baron Cole had been a young, ambitious warrior who had proven his worth on countless battlefields. His loyalty and skill had caught the attention of the Corleone family, particularly a minor elder within the branch that the Baron served.
### **Many Years Ago**
Baron Cole had been a commander in the Corleone family's army during one of the bloodiest clan wars in history. The war had raged for years, with no end in sight, and the Corleone family had been desperate to secure victory. Baron Cole, known for his tactical brilliance and fierce loyalty, had led his troops into battle after battle, turning the tide of the war in favor of the Corleone family.
During one pivotal battle, Baron Cole and his men were outnumbered and outflanked by a coalition of rival clans. It seemed certain that they would be overwhelmed. However, Baron Cole devised a daring plan. He ordered his troops to feign a retreat, luring the enemy into a narrow gorge where the terrain would negate their numerical advantage. Then, he unleashed a devastating ambush, cutting down the enemy forces and securing a decisive victory.
The victory was celebrated throughout the Corleone territories, and Baron Cole was hailed as a hero. To reward him for his service and to ensure his continued loyalty, the Corleone family arranged a marriage between him and Lady Ophelia, the daughter of a minor elder. The marriage was intended to bind him to the family and to elevate his status within the clan.
However, the marriage had been anything but happy. Lady Ophelia was headstrong and used to getting her way. She had been raised in luxury and had little understanding or appreciation for the sacrifices her husband had made. Over the years, her actions had increasingly strained their relationship, but Baron Cole had remained patient, knowing that their union was more about politics than love.
Now, as he watched his wife humiliate herself in front of the entire city, his patience finally wore thin. His anger was not for Elena, who had merely defended herself, but for Ophelia, whose arrogance had brought shame upon their family.
With a stern expression, the Baron called out, "Elena, come here." His voice was firm but not unkind.
Elena hesitated for a moment, unsure of his intentions, but then she nodded and walked over to him. The Baron regarded her with a level gaze.
"You may go to the elder," he said, gesturing toward the alchemist leader. "And as for you," he continued, turning to his wife, "take her away." He called for servants to carry Lady Ophelia away from the scene. She was still in shock, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
The elder of the alchemy hall, who had watched the entire exchange with interest, smiled gently at Elena as she approached. Despite his age and power, there was a warmth in his eyes that made her feel safe.
"Child," he said softly, "where are your parents?"
Elena looked down, her voice barely a whisper as she replied, "They're dead."
The elder sighed deeply, the weight of her words heavy on his heart. "I see," he said, his tone filled with sympathy. "Come, child. Your suffering has ended. The alchemy hall has not seen anyone with your constitution since the beginning of the seventh era."
His words caused a murmur of excitement to ripple through the crowd. The seventh era was a time of legends, and to mention it in connection with Elena was to acknowledge her as a truly extraordinary talent.
The elder continued, "Are you willing to come to the two-star city with us?" He gestured to the group of alchemists behind him, all of whom were watching Elena with a mix of curiosity and admiration. "You will be the chosen daughter of the alchemy hall, able to command all alchemists of lower or the same rank."
Elena looked at the group of alchemists, then back at the elder. There was something reassuring in his presence, something that told her that she could trust him. She nodded.
The elder's smile widened, and for the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of hope for the future of alchemy. "Come and sit beside me," he said, his voice filled with pride. "You are one of us now, young mistress. I am sure that no one, even in the first-grade cities, will go against this arrangement. This is how it has always been in the alchemy hall."
As Elena walked beside him, the elder suddenly turned and asked, "Is there any friend or family you would like to bring with you?"
Elena paused, deep in thought. The weight of the decision she was about to make hung heavily on her young shoulders. She had never been in such a position before, and the thought of leaving everything behind was daunting. Yet, at the same time, she had formed a bond with Hendrix and Lu, a bond that felt important to her, even though she couldn't fully understand why.
And so, she stood there, thinking hard about what she would do next. The crowd watched her in silence, all of them eager to see what the chosen daughter of the alchemy hall would decide.
****End of chapter 33*******